West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has explained his thinking on the Hammers pre-season campaign.

The Hammers will travel to Switzerland for a training camp and game against Challenge League side FC Winterthur before returning to England to face four EFL clubs.

They will play  trio Aston Villa, Preston North End and Ipswich Town and League One new boys Wycombe Wanderers as they prepare for the start of the new top-flight campaign on Saturday 11 August.

The manager said: ““Pre-season is all about preparation and these matches will definitely help us to prepare for the Premier League season ahead

“We will use our training camp and these five fixtures to increase the players’ fitness levels and to help them to improve their relationship on the pitch.

“We will work hard every day in pre-season and take each of these matches very seriously, so that we can continue to get better and better and be ready for the Premier League.

“I know English football and all four of our opponents are proud and historic clubs who will provide us with strong challenges.

“These matches will also be opportunites for us to show our supporters the work we have been doing on the training pitch and I am sure, like me, the fans are already looking forward to them.”

 

Ticket details for all five pre-season fixtures will be confirmed in due course.

West Ham United 2018/19 Pre-Season Fixtures

v FC Winterthur, Venue TBC, Sunday 8 July, 3pm CEST
v Wycombe Wanderers, Adams Park, Saturday 14 July, 3pm
v Preston North End, Deepdale, Saturday 21 July, 3pm
v Aston Villa, Bescot Stadium, Walsall, Wednesday 25 July, 7.45pm
v Ipswich Town, Portman Road, Saturday 28 July, 3pm